NBA 2K21 enters the next generation of gaming consoles on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and with that a refined and tweaked MyPlayer Builder. The Xbox One and PS4 versions of NBA 2K21 bring the familiar MyPlayer Builder to player, but the next gen version puts more power into your hands, with the added caveat of complexity and trial-and-error. Here’s how to master the NBA 2K21 next gen MyPlayer Builder.
The MyPlayer Builder is arguably the driving force behind the NBA 2K experience, and NBA 2K21 next gen is no exception. The creative suite allows gamers to create and build a player from the ground up, and guide them through the trials and tribulations of the NBA and The City towards stardom. Not much changed with the MyPlayer Builder over multiple years, but the next gen version of NBA 2K21 truly does put the power in our hands.
Some big decisions are going to need to be made when you first dive into the MyPlayer Builder. Do you want to control the play with a pass-first point guard, and drive hard to the rim? Do you want to be a slashing forward, or a defensive perimeter beast? Are you going to be a paint beast centre, or an all-rounder? The MyPlayer Builder gives you that power, but as we’ve all heard so many times before: with great power comes great responsibility.
Let’s take a look at NBA 2K21 next gen’s MyPlayer Builder, and run through some tips to help you build the ultimate demigod superstar.
NBA 2K21 next gen MyPlayer Builder tips
My first bit of advice when jumping into the MyPlayer Builder — as is the advice every year — is not to overthink what you’re trying to create. Have a bit of fun, experiment, embrace trial-and-error, and create a few builds. You have the capacity to go back and edit your player, or create up to ten additional players, so you’re not locked to the player you create.
When you do reach the end of the creation cycle, the game will ask if you want to test out or edit your player: if you press B/Circle to go back, and then agree to losing any changes you’ve made, you’ll revert back to the main MyPlayer Builder slot selection screen, where you’ll notice your created player has already been saved. Once you select your Takeovers and see your build in the flesh, it’s saved and locked, so don’t stress about cycling back. Unfortunately it doesn’t simply let you quick back to the main screen, so you have to cycle through everything to the start again.
My second bit of advice is to embrace the fact that your player is not going to be a superstar from the get-go, but you still want to set them up for success as best as possible right from the start. Don’t create a slow point guard if you’re aiming to be a slasher. Don’t create a weak Centre if you want to be a rim protector. A lot of it is common sense, and if you have the commitment and patience to develop your player over the grind, you’ll definitely benefit.
NBA 2K21 next gen mixes things up a bit with its MyPlayer Builder, but the core philosophy remains the same: create your player, and try to make them as well-rounded and balanced as possible. You can most certainly prioritise some areas over others, but if you want a LeBron James build you’re going to need to make some compromises. Additionally, the capacity is there to create a 3-point shooting Centre, but to set yourself up for success you best want to create a player relative to the expectations and needs of the position you’ve chosen.
There’s a many variables that ultimate dictate which ceilings are higher for your player than others. A light, small PG for example is likely going to have a higher Steal, Speed, Acceleration ceiling, whereas a heavy, tall Centre is going to have a higher interior ceiling.
It’s slightly more complicated in the NBA 2K21 next gen version compared to past iterations, because it doesn’t give you a clear indication of how many attribute points you have left. But it works well because it dictates you really think about the type of player you’re creating, rather than simply trying to max out the more obvious attributes like shooting and finishing.
I perhaps better than anyone fully grasp and understand that a lot of what I say in this guide, and a lot of what thousands of YouTubers do and say, is easier said than done. But the key, underlying philosophy with the MyPlayer Builder is this: create a player that suits how you like to play the game. Are you an idealist, the kind of player than runs plays, passes first, sets screens? Or do you want to shoot and every single opportunity? Really think about that, because while the latter may seem more fun, you’re actually battling the fundamentals of the game by limiting your attribute width.
If you want to be a point guard, think about how exactly you’re going to be dictating the play. If you want to get into the paint and line more, and throw down dunks in traffic, you’re going to need a larger wingspan. This might compromise your ball handling and speed-with-ball attributes, however, so there’s a compromise in how effective you are on the fast break. That’s just an example of how deeply you really need to think about the style of play, because every physical element of your player (excluding body shape) ultimately dictates which attributes tower over others.
Choosing Your Attributes
Once you’ve refined your player’s physical appearance, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to start distributing attributes. Here’s how I think you should prioritise attributes based on position. Consider that this is based on my personal play style for each position, but it’s also I feel how you can get the best out of your player.
- Play-Making PG/SG: Playmaking > Shooting > Finishing > Defense/Rebounding
- Shot Creator PG/SG: Shooting > Finishing > Playmaking > Defense/Rebounding
- Slash PG: Finishing > Shooting > Defense/Rebounding > Playmaking
- Defensive Forward/Centre: Defense/Rebounding > Playmaking > Finishing > Shooting
- Shot Maker/Scoring Forward/Centre: Shooting > Defense/Rebounding > Finishing > Playmaking
- Paint Beast Forward/Centre: Defense/Rebounding > Finishing > Playmaking > Shooting
A key change in NBA 2K21 next gen is the removal of pie charts. This is because your attributes are mostly dictated by physical attributes, position, etc.. So your player’s physical attributes — both in the player design phase and the attribute spend phase — tend to have the largest impact on your attribute ceilings for each skill. My recommendation is to manage these attributes first, and then go back and identify other attributes to focus on depending on your desired style.
Takeovers
Takeovers are effectively the “cherry on top” of your player. They act as an integral component of the NBA 2K offering, and, just like Badges, received somewhat of a makeover in the next-gen version of NBA 2K21.
In the current-gen version of NBA 2K21, Takeovers are limited to eight general archetype-based takeovers, but it’s been extended into “24 more specific takeover abilities” in NBA 2K21 next gen. Check them out below.
- Advanced Gathers – Unlocks more effective spin, euro, hop step, cradle gathers
- Finishing Moves – Able to absorb contact and finish at the rim
- Easy Blowbys – Enhances ability for slashers to beat defenders off the dribble
- Pull-Up Precision – Boosts well timed/aimed shots off the dribble
- Anklebreaking Shots – More anklebreakers off of spin and stepback jumpers
- Negative Impact – Reduces defensive impact against pull-ups and other skill shots
- Limitless Range – Extends your shooting range out to the logos
- Spot-Up Precision – Boosts well timed/aimed stationary jump shots
- Team Ratings Boost – Playmakers boost their teammates’ offensive ratings
- Team Takeover Boost – Boost your teammates’ takeover meter progress
- Team Badge Boost – Boosts your teammates’ badges up a tier
- Extreme Clamps – More stone wall and lost dribble body-up resolutions for locks
- Perimeter Badge Drop – Knocks shooting badges down a tier when you get close
- Enhanced Jump Shot Contests – Boosts your ability to contest jumpers
- Stuff Blocks – Unlocks more swat, backboard pins, and grab blocks
- Paint Intimidation – Boosts your ability to affect shots around the rim
- Interior Badge Drop – Drops opposition’s scoring badges down a tier in the paint
- Boxout Wall – Improves ability to seal off opponents for easy boards
- See the Future – Shows where missed shots are going to end up
- Glass Clearing Dimes – After rebounds, kick out passes boost your teammate’s shooting
- Power Backdowns – Easier to push defenders around when posting up
- Post Playmaking – Boost your teammates’ offensive abilities when passing out of post
- Advanced Post Moves – Easier to beat defenders with post moves
- Post Shot Daggers – Increased scoring ability with hooks, fades, shimmy shots, etc
You also have two Takeover slots to fill. When you’re in-game, your takeover meter will fill up your primary takeover slow first. Then, once filled, you can choose to activate it right away, or wait to try and fill up your secondary slot. As with the Takeover feature in all NBA 2K games, the longer you wait the more you risk losing the activation completely should your player start performing poorly. You can also wait beyond the second Takeover to fill up the Team Takeover meter.
Have any tips or builds for NBA 2K21 next gen that you’d like to share with the community? Show off your creations below!
